Foldable display device



Nov. 7, 1961 T. v. ATWATER, JR., ETAL 3,007,268

FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE Filed March 30, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 if@ znlf. CO Z, lawrencefaes WMM, l

Nov. 7, v1961 T. v. ATWATER, JR., ETAL 3,007,268

FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE Filed March 30, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIIWWIHIHH United States Patent Oiice 3,007,258 Patented Nov. 7, 1961 3,007,268 Y FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE Thomas V. Atwater, Jr., Concord, Mass., and John L.

Cox, Evanston, and Lawrence H. Muesing, Winnetka,

Ill., 'assignors by mesne assignments, to U. 0. Colson Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 30, 1959, Ser. No. 802,965 '12 Claims. (Cl. 40`124.1)

This invention relates to advertising display devices and more particularly to point of sale advertising display devices constructedv of paper material and the like.

Point of sale advertising display devi-ces or signs are commonly used on counters and in windows of stores of all kinds to focus the purchasing publics attention on available merchandise. These signs have normally been made of heavy cardboard which has the advertising material printed on lighter paper attached to its surface.

The stands for supporting signs of this type -ar'e quite commonly separate from` the sign itself thus providing an undesirable product and a shipping problem. If the stand is attached to the sign it must be flat folded during shipping. When folded, these stands are often longer o'r wider than the advertising portion. This presents another shipping problem since the device may be irregular in shape and bulky.

The advertising display device of this invention overcomes these problems by providing a one-piece relatively lightweight paper device on which the advertising material itself is printed with a unitary stand. The stand is constructed so that when folded it does not extend over the edge of the sign portion. Yet is provides a very stable and dependable support. The Kstatici may easily be converted from its collapsed condition -to a Supporting position. Moreover, it is provided with substantially positive means for maintaining it in a supporting position. This means is also unitary with the stand.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved advertising display device such las that described above.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved lightweight advertising display device which has its advertising material p-rinted on its surface.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an advertising display having a novel and improved unitary collapsible stand which does not protrude over the edges of the sign portion when folded.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an advertising display device constructed of paper material and the like, which comprises -a sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material and a collapsible stand attached thereto and adapted to support the same in a substantially upright position; the stand comprising a prop member having one end hingedly attached to the sign portion and a base member having one end joined in hinged attachment to the prop member and the other end joined in hinged attachment to the sign por-tion; the base member having a hinged portion adapted to permit folding of the base to callapse the stand and means located adjacent the junction of the prop and the base tending to resist the folding of said base to maintainthe stand in a sign supporting position.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an advertising display device such as that described in the paragraph above wherein the propy member includes a novel reinforcing flange.

Other objects and advantages of this invention Will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the display device of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged back elevational view partially broken away of the display device with the stand in a folded position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged upright sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIGURE l also showing in dotted lines la portion of the sign with the stand partially folded;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing details of the bottom of the stand of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6` is an enlarged partial perspective view of the display device of this invention showing another embodiment of the stand;

FIGURE 7 is a partial back elevational view similar to FIGURE 2 of the display device of this invention showing another embodiment of the stand;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially `along the line 8 3 of FIGURE 7 with the stand eX- tended; and

FIGURE 9 is a partial perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe stand.

FIGURE 1 shows the advertising display device 10 of this invention in a condition of use. The device includes `a sign bearing portion 11 Iand a stand 12. The sign bearing portion 11 carries the advertising material in View while the stand 12 is behind the sign portion 11 and thus out of sight. The device presents an attractive display for sitting on a countertop or table with the advertising held at a slightly tilted angle for easy viewing. For ease of explanation, the sign bearing portion 11 will be described rst.

The sign bearing portion 11 is made of a medium weight grade of paper which has the desirable advertise ing material printed on its surface. The paper is preferably grained iand arranged so that its grain runs transverse to the stand 12 to provide greater strength. As can be quite clearly seen in FIGURE 2, the margins 11a and 11b along the top and bottom of the sign portion and 11C `and 11d along the sides of the sign portion are folded back and creased. Since these folded margins 11a through 11d are out of the plane of the sign portion itself, they provide a reinforcing strength to the sign member. By utilizing the folded margins of this type, a lighter Weight paper may be used which allows the advertising material to be printed directly on its surface.

The stand l2 is constructed of a slightly heavier Weight of paper than that of the sign portion 11. It is normally of unitary construction, that is, a single sheet of paper. However, this is not necessary since portions of the stand can be joined together by means of adhesive paper and the like. As can be seen most clearly in FIGURES l through 3, the stand has basically two parts. These are `a prop 13 and a. base 14. For greater clarity, the base 14 will be described first. g

|The base 14 is generally flat and rectangular. One end 14a is glued or otherwise attached to the interior of the margin 11b on the sign portions 11 preferably so that its edge is lodged in the crease. The base 14 is generally integral with the prop 13 and is separated therefrom by a scored hinge 15. A second scored hinge 16 extends transversely across the central portion of the base 14. This scored hinge is designed to allow upward folding of the base as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 3. The folding of the base is taken advantage of when it is desired to fold the stand into a flat position as is shown in FIGURE 2. A pair of transverse cut scores 17 are located near the end edges of the base adjacent the scored hinge 15. The purpose of these cut scores will be described later.

As also can be seen in FIGURE 4 and in dotted lines in FIGURE 5 an adhesive area 18 may be provided on the base 14. This area 18 will adhere to any counter or the like on which thedisplay device rests during use thus adding a further degree of stability to the device.

The prop member 13 is also a ilat and generally rectangular section. The upper portion 13a is attached by gluing or some other suitable method to the inner portion of the margin 11a on the sign bearing portion 11 preferably so that its edge is lodged in the crease. A pair of cut scores 19 similar to the cut scores 17 on the base are located at the lower end of the prop 13 adjacent the scored hinge 15. The scored hinge 15 is provided with a pair of holes in which the cut scores 17 and 19 terminate. The function of these cut scores will also be described later.

The prop 13 shown in FIGURE 2 `has scored hinges 21 and 22 which terminate at cut-away sections at the corners of the prop indicated generally at 23. The scored hinges 21 and 22 allow the margins of the prop 13b and 13e to be pushed out of the general plane of the prop itself. For example, FIGURE 3 shows quite clearly the position the margin 13b will assume when it is pushed out of the plane of the prop. Further, these portions may be easily moved by applying thumb and forenger pressure forwardly on the portions of the margins marked X. When the margins are moved out of the plane of the prop they provide a flanged or channel shaped prop member which is reinforced over the flat member itself.

As can be seen quite clearly in FIGURE 4, the cut scores 17 and 19 define right triangular portions 24 and 25 on the prop 13 and the base 14. These portions are separated only by a section of the scored hinge 15a. This construction provides a pair of V-shaped folds 26 at the corners of the prop 13 and 14. By exerting a small amount of inward pressure on these folds, they are pushed over center and will remain in the position shown in FIG- URES 1 through 5 and also in FIGURES 8 and 9. The material is so scored that its normal position would find the portions 24 and 25 at rest when aligned with the respective portions of the prop and base to which they are hinged. The folds 26 are in effect, toggle-like members which resist flattening out and therefore tend to spread the angle between the prop 13 and the base 14 when overcentered as illustrated in FIGURES l and 4. The spreading force exerted on the prop and base by the folds 26 prevents the base 14 from folding upwardly along the scored hinge 16 and thus maintains the stand in a sign supporting position.

FIGURE y6 shows another embodiment of the stand of this invention. The scored hinge 15 is slit slightly at 15a and 15b so that the margins 13b and 13e may be moved inwardly over the base 14, to provide tabs 27. With the tabs 27 in position as shown in FIGURE 6, they provide a resilient downward force against the base 14. This downward force also tends to widen the angle between the prop 13 and the base 14 and prevents the base 14 from folding upwardly along its scored hinge 16. This prevents the stand from folding into its llat position and maintains it in a sign supporting position.

FIGURES 7 and 8 show an example of a stand which has a substantially llat prop'13. The stand of this embodiment is made out of slightly heavier paper which does not require the flanged or channeled prop member 13 shown in FIGURE 3. This stand has toggle-shaped folds 26 which prevent the base 14 from folding upwardly along its scored hinge 16 and thus maintains the stand in the sign supporting condition shown in FIGURE 8. Another embodiment of the prop member 13 is shown in FIGURE 9. In this embodiment, a piece of tape 28 of other material is attached under pressure across the inner portion of the prop 13 while the prop is slightly cupped or bowed, thus giving a curved prop member. The curvature which can be clearly seen at 29 in FIGURE 9 reinforces the prop member.

Having thus described our invention as related to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it is our intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

l. A collapsible stand adapted to be attached to an advertising display device constructed of paper material and the like, and including a sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material; comprising: a prop member having its upper end joined in hinged attachment to said sign portion; and a base member separated from said prop member by a scored hinge, the end of said base member joined in hinged attachment near the bottom of said sign portion, said base member having a centrally located transverse scored hinge adapted to permit upward folding of the base to collapse the stand; and means provided by a portion of the base and the prop including a toggle fold which substantially resists flattening out adjacent the scored hinge separating said prop from said base tending to spread the angle between said prop and base to substantially prevent said base member scored hinge from folding upward to maintain the stand in a sign supporting position.

2. A unitary collapsible stand adapted to be attached to an advertising display device constructed of paper material and the like, and including a sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material, the margins thereof being folded back and creased to strengthen said sign portion; comprising: a prop member having its upper end joined in hinged attachment to said sign near the crease in the margin; and a base member having a scored hinge joining it to said prop member, the end of said base member joined in hinged attachment to the bottom portion of said sign portion near the crease in the margin, said base member having a centrally located transverse scored hinge adapted to permit upward folding of the base to collapse the stand; and a pair of V-shaped folds dened on said base and said prop by cut scores with a section of the scored hinge passing through their vertices, said folds adapted to be pushed inwardly over center into toggle-like folds tending `to spread lthe angle between said prop and base to maintain the stand in a sign supporting position.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said base member includes an adhesive surface adapted to be adhered to the supporting surface for said device.

4. A collapsible stand adapted to be attached to an advertising display device constructed of paper material and the like, and including a sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material; comprising: a attenable substantially channel-shaped prop member having its upper end joined in hinged attachment to said sign portion; and a base member separated from said prop member by a scored hinge, the end of said base member joined in hinged attachment near the bottom of said sign portion, said base member having a centrally located transverse scored hinge adapted to permit upward folding of the base to collapse the stand; and means including an over-centered toggle-like fold adjacent the scored hinge separating said prop from said base tending to spread the angle between said prop and base to maintain the stand in a sign supporting position.

5. A unitary collapsible stand adapted to be attached to `an advertising display device constructed of paper material and -the like, and including a sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material, the margins thereof being folded back and creased to strengthen said sign portion; comprising: -a prop member having a pair of flanges defined along the Sides thereof by a pair of scored hinges, said flanges adapted to be displaced inwardly to reinforce said prop, said prop member having its upper end joined in hinged attachment 'to said sign near the crease in the margin; and a base member separated from said prop member by a scored hinge, the end of said base member 'joined in hinged attachment to the bottom of said sign near the crease in the margin, said base member having a centrally located transverse scored hinge `adapted to permit upward folding of the base to collapse the stand; and a pair of V-shaped folds dened on said base and said prop by cut scores with a section of the scored hinge passing through their vertices, said folds adapted to be pushed inwardly over center to provide toggle-like folds tending to spread the angle between said prop and base to maintain the stand in a sign supporting position.

6. The device of claim wherein said base member includes an adhesive surface adapted to be adhered to the supporting surface for said device.

7. A collapsible stand adapted to Ibe attached to an advertising display device constructed of paper material and the like, and including a sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material; comprisin-g: a flattenable substantially channel-shaped prop member having its upper end joined in hinged `attachment to said sign portion; and a base member separated from said prop member by a scored hinge, the end of said base member being joined in hinged attachment near the bottom of said sign portion, said base member having a scored hinge adapted to permit upward folding of the base to collapse the stand; and means including an edge of said channelshaped prop member adjacent the scored hinge resiliently abutting said base and tending to spread the angle between said prop and base to maintain the stand in a sign supporting position.

8. A unitary coilapsible stand adapted to be attached to an advertising display device constructed of paper ma.- terial and the like, and including ya sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material, the margins thereof being folded back and creased to strengthen said sign portion; comprising: a prop member having ya pair of flanges delined along the sides thereof by a pair of seo-red hinges, said flanges adapted to be displaced inwardly to reinforce said prop, said prop member having its upper end joined in hinged attachment to said sign near the crease in the margin; and a base member separated from said prop mernlber by a scored hinge, the end of said base member being joined in hinged attachment to the bottom of said sign near the crease in the margin, said base member having a centrally located transverse scored hinge adapted to permit upward folding of the base to collapse the stand; said scored hinge separating said base and said prop being slit near its outer edgethereby permitting the edges of said prop flanges to be displaced inwardly to resiliently abut said base [to spread the angle between said prop and base toy maintain the stand in a sign supporting position.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said base member includes an adhesive surface adapted to be adhered to the supporting surface for said device.

10. A unitary collapsible stand adapted to be attached to an advertising display device constructed of paper material and the like, and including a sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material, the margins thereof being folded back and creased to strengthen said sign portion; comprising: a prop member being bowed transversely and having a tension member secured transversely across the bow to maintain said prop bowed, said prop member having its upper end joined in hinged attachment to said sign near the crease in the fmargin; and a base member separated from said prop member by a scored hinge, the end of said base member joined in hinged -attachment to the bottom of said sign near the crease in the margin, said base member having a centrally located transverse scored hinge adapted to permit upward folding of the base to collapse the stand; and =a pair of V-shaped folds defined on said base and said prop by cut scores with a section of the scored hinge passing through their vertices, said folds adapted to be pushed inwardly over center into toggle-like folds tending to spread the angle between said prop and base to maintain the stand in a sign supporting position.

1l. A unitary collapsible stand adapted to be attached to an advertising display device constructed of paper material and the like, and including a sign portion having an area for displaying advertising material, the margins thereof being folded back and creased to strengthen said sign portion; comprising: a prop member being bowed transversely Aand having a tension member secured transversely across the bow to maintain said prop bowed, said prop member having its upper end joined in hinged attachment to said sign near the crease in the margin; tand a base member separated from said prop member by `a scored hinge, the end of said base member joined in hinged attachment to the bottom of said sign near the crease in the margin, said base member having a centrally `located transverse scored hinge adapted to penmit upward 'folding of the base to collapse the stand; said scored hinge separating said base `and said prop being slit near its outer edges thereby permitting the edges of said curved prop to be displaced inwardly to resiliently abut said base to spread the angle between said prop and base to maintain the stand in a ySign supporting position.

l2. The device of claim l1 wherein said base member includes an adhesive surface adapted to be adhered to the supporting surface for said device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,252,571 Kohn Aug. 12, 1941 2,282,280 Yogg May 5, 1942 2,431,835 Smith Dec. 2, 1947 2,845,733 FOX Aug. 5, 1958 

